2009 News Releases

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) have formalized a Memorandum of Cooperation to enhance capacity to address climate change. Signing the Memorandum were EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and NDRC Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua.

“Cooperation between China and the United States is essential to successfully address climate change,” said EPA Administrator Jackson. “EPA has a long and productive partnership with China on many important environmental issues. This arrangement builds upon our ongoing cooperation to address one of the most significant global challenges of our time. The work that will be supported through this agreement will assist China in enhancing its capacity to collect reliable greenhouse gas emissions data. It also presents an opportunity for EPA to share with China its extensive expertise in measurement and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.”

Initially, cooperation will focus on providing technical support for the development of robust greenhouse gas inventories. In addition, the Memorandum of Cooperation recognizes the joint work on climate change impacts on economic development, human health, and ecological systems. It also envisions cooperation on education and public awareness of climate change issues.

The EPA-NDRC arrangement is one of several implementing measures under the Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment concluded during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue session in Washington earlier this year.